Loose pitbull attacks poodle in Stuart

MARTIN COUNTY — Animal Control fined a Boca Raton man after his pitbulls escaped his Stuart business where they live. One attacked a poodle, which suffered a spinal injury and was euthanized.

Jewels, a small female 5-year-old pitbull, and Buddy, a large male 3-year-old pitbull, were fenced in Tuesday at the business near the 6100 block of Southeast Black Oak Lane, but dug their way out. Buddy attacked the 12-year-old toy poodle.

Bobby Spears, 57, was cited for not having his dogs restrained, licensed in Martin County and involved in a biting incident resulting in death to another animal, according to an incident report. He was fined $940 and is now required to keep the dogs indoors when the business is closed.

Both dogs were vaccinated and Spears paid their boarding fees. There were no reports of past incidences or criminal charges.